Toy top.



No. 67,|9|.A Patented lune Il, 190|.

J. A. mvma.

TOY TOP.

(Application led Dec. 6, 1900.)

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UNITED STATES NPATENT OEEICE.

JAMES A. IRVING, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOY TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,191, dated June 11, 1901.

i Application iiledDeoember 6, 1900. Serial No. 38,912. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, JAMES A. IRVING., of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toy Tops, whereof the following is a speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to toy tops of the class adapted to be rotated by means ota drivingcord; and it is the object of my invention to provide a top which shall be more convenient to operate than an ordinary top and which when operated shall maintain its motion for a longer time than such devices of the prior art. Y

To this end my invention comprises an outer casing within which is mounted a heavy balance-wheel which is ixed upon a spindle and rotatable therewith independently of said outer casing, through which said spindle projects in convenient positiontobe engaged by the driving-cord.

My invention also comprehends certain details of construction whereby the friction of the moving parts is reduced to the minimum and means to primarily adjust said parts and to readjust the same when worn by use.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a top conveniently embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a top similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but showing a modified arrangement of the driving-cord. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view showing the arrangement of the driving-cord. Fig. 5 is a-sectional view showing in detached relation the bushingsleeve and washer shown assembled in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 shows a modified form of my invention, including a sounding device. Fig. 7 is a top plan View of the sounding device shown in Fig. 6.

In said figures, A is the outer casing, conveniently formed in two parts, as indicated in Fig.,2.

B is an adjustable bearing-screw the head b of which serves as a support for the top d uring one of the operations of which the latter Opposed to the bearing-screw B is abushingO, fixed in the upper portion ot' the top, and D is a bearing-sleeve mounted for rotation in said bushing and provided at its lower extremity with the iauge d to prevent its outward displacement. Between said sleeve D and the balance-wheel E is a friction-washer e, which encircles the spindle Fof said wheel. Said spindle F is in fixed relation with said wheel E and is socketed at its lower extremity to receive the conical point of the bearing-screw B. The upper extremity of said spindle F extends through the sleeve D and the neck Aof the casing A and is provided exterior thereto with an ornamental knob G. Said wheel E being provided with the-hub E in opposition to the bearing in the top of the casing A the extent of projection of the spindle F is thereby limited.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. l and 3 the neck A of the casing A is provided with notches a' at the opposite sides of said spindle F, and said notches are so proportioned that the driving-cord H may be wrapped once or twice around the spindle F and be entered in said notches, asshown in said figures, sufficient space being aorded within said neck to permit the free operation of the driving-cord and spindle. Said cord His conveniently provided at one extremity with a ring h, and, said cord being engaged with the spindle adjoining said ring, the cord may be grasped by the ring and pulled through the notches a', thus freeing the cord from said spindle and spinning the balance-Wheel at high velocity.

In view of the fact that the casing A is entirely independent of the rotatable wheel and spindle, the spinning operation may be conveniently effected lby grasping said casing in the `palm of one hand, grasping said ring 7L with the lingers of the other hand, placing a bight of the cordaround said spindle, and drawing said cord toits end around said spindle, a slight tensionV being aiorded for the free end 7L' of the cord H by permitting it to pass between the fingers of the hand containingthe top. If a single application of the cord H does not suce to give the spindle F the desired velocity, it may be applied repeatedly until the desired speed of rotation is reached, whereupon the top may be set upon the screw-head b or upon the point g of the knob G and jbe allowed to spin with its spindle in vertical position, or the casing may be hung by the screw-'head b in the ring h with said'spind-leV in horizontal position, asl by the operation aforesaid such a Velocity of rotation of the Wheel E may be readily secured as to counteract the force of gravity. l

It is to be noted that the independent relation of thevcasing Afand the spindle and Wheel contained therein permits the top to be picked up and set down While it is. spinning. The actual rotation of the casing only begins when the top is freed from the hand of the operator, so that the top as a Whole appears to be stationary when first released and to increase in speed of rotation after it has left the hand of the operator, the rotation of the casing bei-n g ofcourse occasioned by the friction of the rotating parts withinit.

In the forni of my invention shown in Fig.

the cord II instead of being entered vin notches in the neck is permitted to trail over the edge o f thelatter, the relation of the parts being such as to insure a frictional contact of the ripper surface of the cord With the bottoinfoft e knobG, as shown. t y

yAlthmgn I prefer to provide the top with a -bearingesleeve D,' and thereby reduce the friction upon the spindle F, itis obvious that an operativedevice may be made inwhich thebns'hing'C is fitted closely upon the sp`in die F Without the intervention of a bearingsleeve: A v y Int'hejorni of my invent-ion shown in Fig. (i the Spindle F' is provided With a hollow knob Gf, having apertures g to permit the pgss'age ot'air to the sounding device I, mou nt ed jWithin said 'knob'. VAs shown in Fig. 7, i saidsonnding device may' comprise a series otre-eds i, in ounted for vibration in a plate il.

j v'is-'to be noted that, the bearing-screw B l being'in threaded engagement with the casing A, the parts may not only be accurately ad'jnsted for freeV rotation when first assembled,- bnt 'mayalso be subsequently reset and adjstedtocoinpensate for Wear.

Ido not desire to limit myself to the pre'- cise'details' of construction and arrangement vof theparts which I have shown and de scribed, as it is obvious that various modifications' may be made therein Without departing froin the essential features ot' my invention. 4 @Ianni--4 a l.. In a toy top, the combination with the oiiter casing A; of the balance-Wheel E, ar` ranged to rotate Within said casing independently thereof; the spindle F, xed in said wheel and extending exterior to said casing', the adjustable bearing-'screw B, extending through said casing and provided Within the latter with astep-bearing for said spindle; the bushing C, mounted in said casing A,

to receive said spindle F; and the rotatable bearing-sleeve D, entered between said bushling andsaid spindle, substantially as set forth.

2. In a toy top, the combination with the outer casing A; of the balance-Wheel E, arranged to'rotate Within said casin g independently thereof; the spindle F, iixed in said Wheel, extending exterior to said casing and arranged to be spun by a cord looped directly upon it as described; the adjustable bearingscreW B, extending through said casing and provided Within the latter with a stepbea-ring for said spindle; and the bushing C, mounted in said casing A, to receive said spindle F, substantially as set forth.r`

In a toy top, the combination with the outer casing A; of the balance-Wheel E, ar-

1 ranged to rotate Within said casing independently'thereof; the hub E', upon said Wheel;

l, the spindle F, fixed in said wheel and proently thereof; the hub E', upon `said Wheel `E; the spindle F, fixed in said wheel,- projecting exterior to said casing and arranged to be spun by a cord looped directly upon it las described;. a bearing in said casing surrounding said spindle and terminating in a shoulder in opposition to the h'nb E, of Said wheel, arranged to limit the exterior projection of said spindle; and a step-bearing screw supporting the lower extremity of saidspin- :die and adjustable through said casing to vary the relation between said Wheel-hub and the bearing-shoulder opposed thereto, substantially as set forth.

v JAMES A. IRVING.

Witnesses:

' ARTHUR E. PAIGE,

E. Li FULLERTON.

IOO 

